9PM Update: The rain/snow line continues to lift north into southern Wisconsin Tuesday evening, pushing the freezing rain and snow threat further north. Temperatures have continued to warm above freezing which has helped to minimize the icing risk this evening. There are still some spots near 32 degrees and in those locations, there may be some icy patches for the next hour or two. But southwesterly winds will increase which will help push temperatures into the mid and upper 30s overnight.
Dew point temperatures have also come up with many spots above 32 degrees. This is another indication that our freezing rain threat continues to decrease. Southwest winds will increase tonight, gusting 35-40 mph into Wednesday morning.
A Winter Weather Advisory is now in effect for the following counties in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin: Green, Rock, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, and Carroll. The advisory will run through Wednesday morning.
Most of our Tuesday was dry, but cloudy. A few peeks of sunshine earlier in the day allowed temperatures to warm above freezing for some, but the increase in cloud cover held most in the upper 20s and low 30s. Through the night those numbers will rise, but for a few hours Tuesday evening the risk for light freezing rain will be possible for some. Surface temperatures will be key in determining who sees what type of precipitation, and for how long. So, let's break it down:
Rest of tonight:
Temperatures across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin are currently in the low to mid-30s, with numbers just a bit further above freezing in our southern counties. Visibility has fallen over the last couple of hours as light drizzle and even some light rain showers are beginning to develop. The risk for light freezing rain will occur where air temperatures are right at, or slightly below, freezing this evening. This places areas along and north of Highway 64 at a slightly higher potential than those to the south. Now, that doesn't mean that there can't be some light freezing rain - especially on some of the back and county/country roads and untreated surfaces - in those locations, too. So, it's important to take it slow if you're out and about this evening. Where we do see freezing rain occur a thin glaze of ice will be possible which will make it slick before temperatures warm above freezing later tonight. This means bridges and overpasses, along with parking lots and sidewalks could be a little icy through the evening.
Most of the precipitation should come to an end after Midnight as drier air wraps in behind the surface low. Winds will increase, gusting from the southwest initially before turning to the west early Wednesday. Gusts could approach 35 mph.
Wednesday:
Wind-driven snow showers can be expected Wednesday morning as colder air settles in from the north. This will cause temperatures to drop through the afternoon after starting out in the 30s. The combination of the incoming snow and gusty northwest winds will cause visibility to drop where the heavier snow showers develop. This will have an impact on the morning commute. The snow will move in early Wednesday morning between 4am and 5am and continue through mid-morning. Visibility will become an issue under the heavier snow bands and minor accumulations could also occur. If the snow is heavy enough there could be some accumulations on some of the roads.
Scattered snow showers will continue into the afternoon Wednesday as temperatures drop back through the mid-20s. Winds will ease some as skies slowly begin to clear Wednesday night.
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